615 Jones St., Grand Ledge, MI  48837  |  Phone: 517-925-5480  |  Fax: 517-925-5523  | COVID Line: 517-925-5725

School hours are 9am-3:55pm.  Please do not drop students off before 8:40am.   Students must be picked up by 4:05pm.

HALF DAY today 11/10 and next Friday 11/17 ... students dismiss at 12:10pm.

November 10, 2023

Recess Behavior 

Dr. Kenneth Shore, a predominant school psychologist suggests that recess is the favorite school activity of many students, but for staff, who must monitor the activity, however, it often is the least favorite. A highly physical, yet unstructured activity, often characterized by limited supervision, recess typically is fraught with disciplinary problems. The difficulties our staff might encounter on the playground run the gamut of behavior problems. Those can include children arguing over the score of a game, a student ridiculing a classmate for poor physical skills, a student intentionally damaging playground equipment, a child crying because she has no one to play with, or a student angrily accusing his classmates of cheating.

The range of issues that arise on the playground, however, also presents opportunities to teach students important lessons about such issues as good sportsmanship, kindness, conflict resolution, and respect for property. Students will learn those lessons most effectively, moreover, if we deal with them immediately, as the problems arise. At Holbrook, we are committed to tackling recess problems head-on. This is important for another reason: unresolved playground disputes often carry over into the classroom. However,  we cannot do this important work alone. We need your help! Please help us reinforce our playground expectations as well as a few important conflict resolution strategies:

*Follow adult directions the first time
*Use kind words
*Recess ends at the whistle (3 whistles = line up, 1 whistle =freeze look to adult)
*Enter building with a level 0 voice
*Hold equipment, return equipment, pick up personal belongings
*Report any problems to adult
*Share equipment with peers - be kind to all & invite others to join - practice good sportsmanship 
*Stay safe - contact-free activities, line up single file to enter building

Problem solving 3 good choices: walk away, talk it out, rock-paper-scissors 

Student Drop Off/Pick Up

When dropping off your child in the drop off line, please make sure your student is able to exit the vehicle themselves with their belongings, otherwise please park and walk them to the crosswalk. Once your child has exited the vehicle, use the left lane to exit the line & parking lot. This will keep traffic moving and reduce delays and long lines.

Dr. Bill Albrecht, Principal

How to Practice Mindfulness with Kids

As we are headed into the holiday season, feelings of anxiety and exhaustion tend to increase. Introducing mindfulness techniques can be a great way to help your child manage the feelings of excitement or anxiety during this month. When we teach mindfulness to kids, we equip them with tools to build self-esteem, manage stress, and approach challenges. There are many activities kids can do at home that incorporate moments of mindfulness in fun, educational and creative ways. Here are some to try:

Focus on the 5 senses: A quick way to ground yourself is by using your five senses. Name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. 

Engage and explore the senses: Rice, popcorn kernels, kinetic sand, beads, finger painting, shaving cream, model magic. Engaging with these items can be a grounding practice.

Create a sensory surprise bag: Gather items around the house of varying textures and put them in a paper bag. Have your child reach in and explore the items through touch. Prompt them with questions such as: Is it hard or soft? Are there edges? Ask your child to describe what they are feeling.

Get in touch with the outside: Add some mindfulness to your family walks by playing “I Spy”. Encourage your child to listen, look, and smell the world around them. Take breaks to just notice your feelings and explore with curiosity.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
To set up a phone appointment with Mrs. Conner visit youcanbook.me to schedule.
To access local resources visit the Tri-County Community Health Guide.
To access social-emotional learning resources for home, visit Holbrook’s school counseling website.

FREE COMMUNITY MEAL
The Grand Ledge United Methodist Church is providing a free meal the first Wednesday of each month from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. Rides are available for families as needed.  Location:   Grand Ledge First United Methodist Church, 411 Harrison Street, Grand Ledge, Michigan 48837.  Call June for more information at 517.627.3256.  If you family would need a ride to the event please email: sara.holding86@gmail.com

With the rapid rate of change occurring in our society, there are many implications for change in our schools as well. If a question or concern arises, please seek an answer or solution by contacting the teacher first and then the building principal or designee. If the question or concern is not satisfactorily resolved at the building level, the concerned person may appeal to the next highest level of authority.

Please use the following step process to address any concerns that may arise: 
Step 1 - Contact the teacher or staff member most closely associated with the issue.
Step 2 - If unresolved, contact the principal or supervisor. 
Step 3 - If unresolved, contact the Superintendent’s Office (517-925-5401). 
Step 4 - If unresolved, contact the Board of Education. 

If you have a general matter concern, or you are unsure whom to contact, please contact the Superintendent’s office at 517-925-5401 to be directed to the appropriate personnel. 

Academic Services (517-925-5403): for concerns associated with classroom instruction, report cards, and district curriculum. 
Human Resources (517-925-5406): for concerns associated with staff/personnel.
Operations (517-925-5430): for concerns associated with facilities, grounds or transportation. 
Student Services (517-925-5410): for concerns associated with Special Education.

Couldn’t make it to the in-person Book Fair?  No problem! You can still shop online.  Online shopping is available from 11/6 - 11/19.

Below is the link for the November Elementary Career Newsletter from ERESA; it includes upcoming events for students & their families, as well as educator events and resources!  Newsletter link

The lost and found is bursting at the seams ... three deep on each hook.  Feel free to stop by the school anytime between 7:30 am - 4 pm.  The lost and found is located in the vestibule between the gym and playground and can also be accessed in the evenings when the building is open to gym schedules. 

Our Paper Gator has moved to the back parking lot. It is still accessible outside of school hours. Thanks for understanding.

Don't trash or even recycle your newpapers, magazines, copy paper, phone books and catalogs. Drop them off at Holbrook's Paper Gator! ANY paper is acceptable and you can see exactly what is accepted and not on the front of the receptacle. Best part is that Holbrook gets paid for people doing their part in recycling!! Such an easy way to earn a few dollars for our school.

Student Drop Off/Pick Up
When dropping off your child in the drop off line, please make sure your student is able to exit the vehicle themselves with their belongings, otherwise please park and walk them to the crosswalk.

Late Arrivals
If your student is going to be late and needs school lunch, you must call the office by 9:15am to order lunch for them.

Medication Drop Off
If your student will require medication during the school day, you will need to provide the proper paperwork.  All medications must be turned into the office by an adult.  This includes over the counter medications, any ointments, and cough drops.  Medical paperwork can be found on the district website under Parent Resources Medical Paperwork

Blessings in a Backpack
If your student needs additional food at home, the Grand Ledge Blessings in a Backpack program is here. For over a decade, this program has provided bags of food for weekend meals at no cost to hundreds of students in the Grand Ledge area. For students attending school in-person, a bag of nourishing, kid-friendly food will be placed discretely in their backpack or locker at the end of each week during the school year (except during school breaks). Examples of some of the food items distributed are: macaroni and cheese, canned vegetables, soup, oatmeal, granola bars, fruit cups, and beef ravioli. If you would like your student to participate in the program, please fill out the permission form that went home or request one from the office. Return the form to the school office by Wednesday, September 13th, for your student to receive the first bag on September 21st.

Lost and Found
The lost and found is located near the gym in playground vestibule. If your student is missing something, please have them check the lost and found. Labeling clothing/items will also help us to return things to students.

Need Shoes or Boots?
The Old Newsboys Association of Greater Lansing is a nonprofit charitable organization whose sole purpose is to provide footwear to needy school children. This includes well fitting school shoes, warm boots and socks. For, assistance and to obtain a request for footwear form, please contact our office (hirschmana@glcomets.net).

Need Hats or Gloves?
Please call the office (517-925-5480) and let us know.  We have a supply of donated items that we'd love to get to your child if needed.

End of the Day Changes
If you need to change end of the day plans for your student, please contact the office prior to 3pm so proper notes can be delivered to classrooms. Thank you so much!!

Illness Reminders
We ask that your child be 24 hours free of fever (without fever reducing medications), vomiting or diarrhea before you send them back to school after they have been out sick.  We appreciate your cooperation with this!

Covid Reporting
To report a positive Covid case, please complete the Covid Reporting Form.

Change of Clothes
Please send in a change of clothing with your student to be left in their locker. Students have spills during lunch or get muddy/wet on the playground. The office supply of clothing is very limited and students are often more comfortable in their own clothing.

Student Birthday Treat Policy
Student birthday treat policy will be up to each individual classroom teacher. Communicate clearly and often with your student’s families regarding your specific policy so they know your expectations. Keep in mind that not all students celebrate birthdays, and not all birthdays are positive for students. Also be sure to be mindful of allergies. Food must be store bought & prepackaged. Encourage healthy snacks at all times.

Raptor Visitor Management System Starting
Grand Ledge Public Schools will continue using the Raptor Visitor Management System to enhance the safety of our school buildings. The Raptor system will better allow us to screen school visitors, providing a safer environment for our students and staff.  School visitors will be screened during the school day before being allowed to leave the main office and enter the school building. School visitors will be asked to present a valid, government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license), and it will be scanned or manually entered into the Raptor system. Once entry is approved, Raptor will issue a badge that identifies the visitor, the date, and the purpose of the visit. A visitor’s badge will not be necessary to drop off an item in the main office or to pick up paperwork from there.

Volunteering & Chaperoning
Persons wishing to volunteer for Grand Ledge Public Schools are required to complete the Volunteer Registration Form and be approved prior to serving as a volunteer.  All volunteers MUST check in at the office to receive a BADGE prior to proceeding to any other area on school property.  Please visit District Volunteer Application to complete the process.